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The Salton Sea
2002 103 min United States of America R 16+
★6.6
Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Director: D.J. Caruso
Trailers
Description
After the murder of his beloved wife, a man in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy "The Finn", becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.
Budget:
$18M
US Gross:
$764,554
Worldwide:
$1.07M
Starring
Val Kilmer
Actor
Vincent D'Onofrio
Actor
Adam Goldberg
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
The Salton Sea is a cult neo-noir thriller noted for its stylized atmosphere and a standout, career-best performance by Val Kilmer. While critics and audiences remain divided on its fragmented narrative structure, many viewers find its gritty, immersive, and unconventional approach to be a rewarding experience.
| Acting | Val Kilmer delivers a nuanced and career-highlight performance that serves as the film's essential emotional anchor. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography creates a vivid, atmospheric, and visually striking portrait of a decaying, drug-addled environment. | |
| Acting | The ensemble cast, particularly Vincent D'Onofrio, provides memorable and colorful character portrayals that elevate the material. | |
| Screenplay | The non-linear, fragmented screenplay creates an immersive experience for some, while others find the narrative structure to be disjointed or lacking a cohesive whole. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, slow-burn pacing requires patience, with some viewers finding the shift between dark drama and dark humor engaging, while others feel it creates an uneven experience. |